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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Wilkinson, Frederick W. (fl. 1861-1863) to Amanda Wilkinson

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.13.089 Author/Creator: Wilkinson, Frederick W. (fl. 1861-1863) Place Written: Bardstown, Kentucky Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1 April 1863 Pagination: 3 p. : envelope ; 18.1 x 13.9 cm. Order a Copy

Writes to his wife that the army has finally stopped marching. He is very anxious to hear from her, and wonders how she and the baby are doing. States that if she does not get better soon he will come home to stay. Tells her not to borrow any money for him as he will be paid soon. Asks her to send his commission. Thinks that the army will be moving again shortly. The last journey was over "a thousand miles via cars and boats which took us about two weeks." Writes that the weather is worse here than in Michigan. States that the regiment was glad to get out of Virginia. Small piece of letter missing, creating some text lost.

Frederick Wilkinson was a resident of Kalamazoo County, Michigan when he enlisted on 10 May 1861 as a Sergeant. On 25 May 1861 he mustered into "K" Company of the Michigan 2nd Infantry. He was promoted to 1st Sergeant and later to 2nd Lieutenant on 1 December 1861. Wilkinson was discharged for promotion on 14 January 1863. Also on that day he was transferred to "G" Company of the Michigan 2nd Infantry. He resigned on 30 June 1863.

Wilkinson, Frederick W. fl. 1861-1863

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